By Sheridan Plummer
As seen in the recent global climate strikes and the Youth Climate Movement, a school’s environmental impact stretches far beyond the walls of a classroom. Through teaching the nation’s youth the importance of being environmentally aware and responsible global citizens, schools across the nation are inspiring children to take action. One of the many ways schools are influencing the youth of today is through making environmental changes right on campus. Whether it is through eliminating single-use plastics in the cafeteria, starting a school garden, or implementing a compost system, schools have the potential to exemplify environmental responsibility.
One of the most effective ways to do this is by addressing the education system’s impact on transportation. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the transportation sector is responsible for 29% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions – a higher percentage than any other economic sector. Some of these emissions are directly related to school traffic. In fact, according to a recent study, nearly 60% of kids today are getting to school by car, as shown by the long lines of cars snaking down the block during pick-up and drop-off time.
CarpooltoSchool, Go Together’s ridesharing platform for schools and families, is at the center of the nexus of education, transportation, and the environment. By coordinating carpooling, bikepooling, or walkpooling through CarpooltoSchool, schools can reduce the number of vehicles commuting to and from campus thereby lowering carbon emissions, reducing air pollution, and minimizing gasoline usage. This platform allows parents to make an individual change that impacts the entire school community and gives children another inspiring example of environmental awareness in action. Your school can explore this option today by scheduling a demo. Here’s the link to get started.
